"Uniforms of the 1st Kansa Colored Volunteers" Topic

I know they wore some sort of grey uniform early and found an illustration of the unit in grey caps, blue blouses and grey trousers. By 1864 I'm assuming they will be in standard uniform. Maybe I might paint a few with grey caps or trousers. I thought I remembered a TMP discussion of this but can't find it.

Mark,

In my copy of The Sable Arm, it states that "… Lane's command [1st Kansas Colored Volunteers] wore forage caps, gray trousers, and blue jackets." The footnote for the entire paragraph [page 77 of the soft bound edition] is to an article from the Oct. 12, 1862 New York Times newspaper.

Here are links about their colors: link and link

This may be the picture for which you are searching:

Source: link
Of course the colors are portrayed in reverse position. The US flag should be on the right and the regimental colors on the left.

Jim

First uniform was zouave style, not used long, with the tasseled cap, red pants and blue vest. I used to live in the recruiting area.

I'd never heard about zouave uniforms being used by anybody that far west--it seemed to be more of an eastern thing. Initially, recruiting for the 1st KCV went really well, then it slowed when they got about half the men they needed--could the zouave uniforms have been supplied to the regiment in this early stage of its history?

Grelber

Looks like they are armed with Mississippi rifles. Colors appeared to be of standard form.. Thanks. I didn't find that one.